The Master’s Return Ⅷ

Pensively returning to himself, Voldemort eyes Lestrange with sincere contemplation in his mind. "You mentioned in your letters that there was a great cause of joy for our cause, but never spoke of that which the gift was, Lestrange. What is it that which ye dared not write in the letter?"

"During the Auror's attack after Milord's departure, I managed to place an Auror under the Imperius curse and planted our very own spy in their midst," Rodolphus explained. "The spy has subtly, but steadily been providing information which we can use."

"Excellent news, Lestrange. You have always been one of my best followers," Voldemort said with a pleased expression. "You shall be rewarded in ample time for your fidelity."

"Thank you for your magnanimous thought Dark Lord, but none is required at this time," Rodolphus firmly stated. "It is my solemn duty to do so."

"Mm," Voldemort murmured in agreement, before turning his crimson gaze upon the icy, impassive visage of Lestrange. "I do not wish for such an exquisite lineage as the Lestrange line to end in my time. Do consider taking a wife again, Lestrange, and impregnating her in short order."

Rodolphus is unable to hide his stiffening, before forcibly relaxing. "It has not yet been five years of proper mourning for Bellatrix, Milord, please allow me a little more time. And in due course, I shall comply with the Dark Lord's wishes."

"Very well, Lestrange, I shall adhere to your request," Voldemort dismissively said, "but only until the five years are up. I expect for a wife to be selected from among the families of our fellow Death Eaters to continue the Lestrange lineage."

"As you wish, Milord," Rodolphus reflexively answered making no true promises of his own. "Is that all, Dark Lord?"

Voldemort dismisses Lestrange with a curt gesture. Lestrange bows stiffly and moves to depart, when Voldemort suddenly adds, "However, there is something of value that needs to be immediately reacquired for me, Lestrange."

"Yes, Dark Lord?" Rodolphus asked with hidden reservations as he turned to face Voldemort once more.

"I entrusted Bellatrix with a golden cup before her death," Voldemort murmured. "I wish for it to be retrieved from her dowry vault and returned to me."

"Bellatrix dowry vault has since reverted and returned to the Black family," Rodolphus truthfully answered causing Voldemort's face to become frigid with a hint of anger.

"However, I am certain that Walburga or Orion will for old times' sake permit a single visit under the illusion of retrieving a Lestrange heirloom," Rodolphus carefully spun his lie. Certainly, his ex-in-laws would permit the visit, but there would be nothing to retrieve as in his own search before the reversion of the vault he had not found said cup among Bellatrix's possessions.

Satisfied with Lestrange's response, Voldemort says, "That is all, Lestrange. But do try to enjoy the festivities, you have been sullen as of late."

Lestrange stiffly bows again, before swiftly departing leaving only Voldemort alone with Nagini. With the departure of Lestrange, Nagini slowly uncoils and hisses, "That man is most dangerous, kin."

"Who Lestrange?" Voldemort replies in parseltongue with scorn. "Lestrange is a loyal dog, who follows as do the rest."

"That is no dog," Nagini insisted. "A wolf. And a wolf only hunts to feed itself."

"A wolf hunts for its pack and Alpha," Voldemort dismissively muttered ignoring the advice of Nagini, who rather disgruntled flickered her forked tongue at him. "And besides, it was not Lestrange who so greatly disappointed me this evening, but rather you, Nagini."

Nagini wilts at Voldemort's words as he proceeds to ignore the serpent turning over the events of the evening and the past in his mind. Over the course of his journey, he had found himself calmer and more clearheaded. He had been so angry and frustrated for so long that he had lost sight of himself. It was not until tonight that he began to wonder if there was truly something wrong with himself or his Horcruxes.

Unconsciously, Voldemort reaches into his robes to touch Slytherin's locket which hung around his neck for safekeeping. His journal, his first masterpiece had been destroyed by fire. Helga Cup had been entrusted to Bellatrix and placed within her vaults at Gringotts. Ravenclaw's Diadem lay within the Room of Requirements at Hogwarts hidden right under Dumbledore's nose. And the Gaunt heirloom was hidden away within the confines of the last Gaunt residence. Thusly at present, the only Horcrux which lay within his immediate reach was that of the Gaunt family ring.

"Come Nagini," Voldemort demanded as the serpent closely followed him.

None of his followers noticed his abrupt departure except Rodolphus Lestrange, who was at the windowpane ignoring the revelry and the carousing of the Death Eaters around him saw the Dark Lord depart with his serpent companion. Rodolphus narrowed his eyes at the departing figure but did not speak of the Dark Lord's departure.

It was not until Empusa Snyde snuck into the front hall to retrieve the corpse of Primus Wilkes, which she found missing having already been disposed of by the Gibbon family house elves. In shock, she rushes back and interrupts amid the festive gathering. "Master is gone!" Empusa bellowed.

The Death Eaters panic for a moment until the icy voice of Rodolphus says, "The Dark Lord wished to be alone. Leave him be."

"And how would you know, Lestrange?" Empusa spat out with a mix of emotions gleaming in the depths of her eyes.

"The Dark Lord wished for me to join in the revelry and declared it so," Rodolphus carefully answered telling no lies.

Not wishing for his ancestral home to be destroyed, Gibbons immediately says, "If Lestrange said so, then it must be true. Please let us return to the festivities."

The Death Eaters cheer and return to their merriment, while Gibbons whirls around to face Empusa. "I will have no rabble makers here, Empusa," Gibbons strictly growled. "If you are so concerned, then go and guard the front hall until the Dark Lord's return. But knowing the Dark Lord, he will be most displeased by such an act of blatant disobedience. However please do go and try the Dark Lord's patience for all of us to bear witness too."

Empusa glances around but fails to spot anyone on her side. "It's just, my Snyde would so enjoy this," Empusa howled as usual, before bursting into tears.

Gibbons refrains from rolling his eyes as several female Death Eaters approach the disconsolate widow Snyde to console her. Gibbons returns to the party, but Rodolphus eyes the widow. The widow always by coincidence was involved in the various activities of the Death Eaters. It was the perfect unsuspected position and considering her overwhelming concern regarding Primus Wilkes. There was a strong indicator that she too was like S.R. Wilkes and that of his uncle. She bore careful watching.